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Build Natural Ponds In Your Garden

By: Kip Fynn

Wild ponds are full of high activity. All types of species are drawn to them from dragonflies and pond skaters, to frogs, turtles and sometimes even the occasional fox. Natural ponds are some of the most important aspects of the conservation of our wildlife, both animal and plant. Wild ponds are disappearing at a truly alarming rate and as they disappear forever they are taking the animals and plants that depend on them for their survival with them. Animals are having to turn to other man made watering holes but unfortunately, these watering holes are just not safe for the animals.

The animals end up drinking from contaminated sources such as sewage runoff ditches, chemical dumps or drainage. They are poisoned by foreign substances and die. These species that need wild watering holes are slowly disappearing and there may not be a way back for their kind. And remember, its not just the animals that visit these watering holes that suffer when the pond is filled in. Thousands of pond life are instantly buried alive when the pond is destroyed to make way for a new freeway because its cheaper to fill in a hole than it is to over or around.

Pond keepers have discovered that this shortage has increased the amount of wildlife that visit their ponds and many have adapted old ponds or built new ones to mimic a natural pond to encourage the wildlife even more. These mini eco systems have proved a hit not only with the wildlife but with the pond keepers as well. They provide lots of interest and bring tranquility to a garden.

Design And Maintenance

Natural ponds should be as large as you can possibly make them but no matter what size, they are still very valuable to wildlife. There should be a good mixture of both shade and light and the sides should have gently sloping shelves to provide different depths. Natural ponds should be irregular in shape and look as if they have been there since time began. Your pond liner should be protected with two layers of sand, put one layer in the hole before laying the liner and then another layer on top of the liner. Water straight from the tap can be used to fill your natural pond. Plants will quickly start to fill your pond so you should remove any excess weeds, leaving about 70% of the pond clear.

Clean the pond sporadically by removing unwanted plants or weeds. Its a good idea to leave these close by the side of the water for a few hours so that any pond life that are hidden among them can make their way back to the water. Never weed during early spring as this is when amphibians and invertebrates breed and they attach their eggs to the weeds and plants.

The plants you use in natural ponds should be local to your habitat. This will ensure new growth and eliminate your frustration if everything you plant is dying. The important thing is to try and make your pond look and act as natural as possible. Don't add fountains, ornamental statuary or other man made objects to your pond or the naturalness will be removed. Many animals would be frightened off by these small structures sticking up in the middle of a pond. Being eco-friendly and environmentally responsible will help you maintain a beautiful and wonderful natural pond that will attract wildlife to your garden in abundance.

Article Source: http://www.essentialgardenguide.com/gardening-articles

Kipp Flynn has been building ponds all his life. He was using terms like environmental long before they became fashionable. Click to learn more about natural ponds or here for general build a pond advice
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